Itinerary
Itinerary A | 7 Days 6 Nights
DAY 1 AM: BALTRA AIRPORT
Departure to the Galápagos, arrival at Baltra Airport, where our National Park naturalist guide will be waiting for you.
PM: DRAGON HILL
Located on the north coast of Santa Cruz, Dragon Hill is named after the land iguanas inhabiting the area. It's the only place on Santa Cruz Island where large species of reptiles can be observed. Land iguanas, once on the brink of extinction in the 70s and 80s, have recovered. There is also a small saltwater lagoon where flamingos, ducks, stilts, shorebirds, and other wading birds are often seen.
Level: 1
Trail: 2.2 kilometers / 1.4 mi
Activities: Dry landing and hiking
DAY 2
AM: BUCCANEER COVE / ESPUMILLA BEACH
This site was used by pirates and buccaneers in the 17th and 18th centuries as a hideout and source of fresh water and turtles. The area has picturesque cliffs and interesting rock formations.
Trail: 2.3 kilometers / 1.4 mi (additional loop 1 kilometer - 0.6 miles)
Level: 1
Activities: Panga ride
PM: EGAS PORT
Despite the name, there is no “port” at Egas Port, though remnants of the last colonization attempt in the 60s can be seen. The trail along the coastline is rich in wildlife, with marine iguanas sunbathing everywhere, Galápagos sea lions, herons, oystercatchers, and many shorebirds. At the end of the trail, an area called “the grottos” is home to a small colony of endemic Galápagos fur seals, which are harder to approach than their relatives. Land iguanas were reintroduced to the area in 2019, so watch for these impressive reptiles that had been extinct on Santiago Island for a century.
Trail: 2.3 kilometers / 1.4 mi
Level: 1
Activities: Wet landing and hiking
DAY 3
AM: VICENTE ROCA POINT
Surrounded by some of the tallest cliffs in the Galápagos, Vicente Roca Point offers spectacular landscapes and interesting volcanic formations. There is no trail here, but you’ll enjoy a boat ride along the coast, observing pelicans, flightless cormorants, sea turtles, boobies, Galápagos sea lions, and marine iguanas up close. This area is also known for whale and dolphin sightings.
Level: 1
Activities: Panga ride
PM: ESPINOZA POINT
Fernandina is the most active volcano in the islands, erupting every 3-5 years. This island is one of the Galápagos gems, with many animals along its shores. Upon disembarking, you’ll see hundreds of marine iguanas sunning themselves. The coastline is a playground for sea lions, and Galápagos cormorants build nests near the shore, along with other species like herons, oystercatchers, and shorebirds. Hawks often perch in the mangroves, hunting for prey.
Trail: 1.6 kilometers
Level: 2
Activities: Dry landing and hiking
DAY 4
AM: URBINA BAY
Known for the dramatic uplift that occurred in the 1950s, a large part of the coastline was raised, exposing many hectares of previously submerged land. If you look closely along the trail, you’ll find small shells and corals, evidence of the area being underwater over 60 years ago. This trail offers a chance to spot land iguanas and, in certain seasons, giant tortoises. Galápagos hawks nest in the area and can often be seen flying or perched in trees.
Trail: 1.2 kilometers / 0.7 mi. Long trail: 3.0 kilometers / 1.8 mi
Level: 1
Activities: Wet landing and hiking
PM: TAGUS COVE
One of the sites visited by Charles Darwin during his exploration of the Galápagos. A trail takes you through the dry forests of Palo Santo, where you can spot Darwin’s finches and mockingbirds. You’ll get excellent views of Darwin Lake and the large volcanoes of northern Isabela. A coastal boat tour offers a chance to see penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas, and a unique species, the Galápagos flycatcher, a small endemic bird that is one of the island's most endangered species.
Trail: 2.6 kilometers / 1.6 mi
Level: 3
Activities: Dry landing and hiking
DAY 5
AM: ELIZABETH BAY
A beautiful protected bay surrounded by large mangroves and barren lava fields. There are no trails, so you’ll take a boat tour to explore the channels, pools, and coves full of life. It’s one of the best places to see Galápagos penguins, though their population in the islands is only around 3,000. Flightless cormorants also nest here, and blue-footed boobies and pelicans often fish in the shallow, nutrient-rich waters. Rays and sea turtles are also abundant.
Level: 1
Activities: Panga ride
PM: MORENO POINT
A magical site with extensive lava fields that appear lifeless at first glance. Upon entering, scattered brackish lagoons form an oasis of life where flamingos, gallinules, ducks, and herons can be found. Along the coast, look for penguins, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, sea lions, oystercatchers, and other birds.
Trail: 1.6 kilometers / 1 mi
Level: 3
Activities: Dry landing and hiking
DAY 6
AM: CHARLES DARWIN STATION
The Charles Darwin Station, a non-profit organization, has worked with the Galápagos National Park for decades to preserve the unique biodiversity of the islands. During this visit, you’ll learn about projects both institutions are undertaking to protect native species and eradicate invasive species that threaten the Galápagos environment. One of the most important and iconic projects is the captive breeding of giant tortoises. The visit is mainly outdoors in a beautiful native dry forest with giant cacti and other interesting native plants. It’s also a fantastic place to spot several of Darwin's endemic finches, as well as flycatchers and mockingbirds.
Trail: 2 kilometers / 1.2 mi
Level: 1
Activities: Dry landing and hiking
PM: HIGHLANDS
Whether you start this visit from Baltra or Puerto Ayora, a bus will take you to the highlands, stopping at one of the reserves to visit the lush forests of the highlands, where you’ll search for giant Galápagos tortoises in their natural environment. This is the best place in the Galápagos to see these gentle giants (reaching over 300 kg / 600 lbs!) grazing and resting casually in freshwater ponds. A variety of birds rarely seen in the lowlands, including finches (tree, woodpecker, and vegetarian finches), flycatchers, and several species of aquatic birds, also inhabit the area. You’ll visit a lava tunnel (depending on the itinerary) and learn about how these extraordinary formations were created by ancient volcanic eruptions.
Trail: 1 - 1.5 kilometers / 0.6 – 0.9 mi
Level: 1
Activities: Dry landing and hiking
DAY 7
AM: TWIN CRATERS
The Twin Craters, or “Los Gemelos,” are located on the road to the Highlands of Santa Cruz Island. They are found on either side of the road from Puerto Ayora to Baltra. They are not true craters; they were created by the collapse of surface material into fissures and underground chambers. You’ll enjoy wonderful views of the local flora, such as Scalesia plants. It’s also possible to spot the endemic short-eared owl here. Afterward, transfer to the airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.
